To have the current face of Chanel, Alice Dellal, open your graduation show makes quite a statement. So too does dressing Rihanna.

Celebrity endorsement was the name of the game at the University of Westminster Fashion Design BA degree show last night, which launched graduate fashion season in promising style.

Eighteen students showed their final work, with an emphasis on womenswear. Famous alumni include Christopher Bailey of Burberry, Michael Herz of Bally and Stuart Vevers of Loewea considerable list of talent, with commercial as well as critical successso expectations were high.

The collections all impressed but two especially stood out: Ashley Williams, whose cheeky collection of Americana was modelled by Dellal and Pixie Geldof, plus Claire Barrow, whose intricate hand-painted leather jackets have been worn by stars including Jessie J and Rihanna, on the cover of her latest album. Were expecting great things from the rest of the season: look out for Central St Martins next week

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